Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.

Proverbs 20

Blows and wounds scrub away evil,
    and beatings purge the inmost being. v30

A quick search of the Internet helped me find Matthew Henry's commentary on the above verse and my initial read/view was validated....that suffering for Christ in any kind of trial is a refinement that is intended by God for His good and perfect will.  See also James:

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

My Prayer: Lord, Your will and Your purpose is perfect...unlike my purposes which very often are not directed by You.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me for my lack of trust and love of You - this is of course sinful!!  Help me focus on You and Your plans for me, even when I am enduring trials.

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?

Proverbs 20

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.
    How then can anyone understand their own way? v24

This verse is similar to a verse read a couple of days ago:

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

 

There is also:

 

Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path. Psalm 199:105

 

And this too:

 

For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Hebrews 3:4  

 

This points to the importance of faith:

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 

 

Having a plan in life is important as long as you are following a direction set upon your heart by God.  God directs us and we don't know where He is taking us and we are to have faith in the journey and the process.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have led me through deep valleys and up high mountains - through it all You have blessed me beyond any imagination.  I don't know why because I am a sinner.  Yesterday I spoke in an unwholesome manner.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me for this.  Please also help me understand my next steps and help me align my direction with Your will.  I love You Lord Jesus. 

The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.

Proverbs 20

The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them. v7

Lisa and I have been praying for Zach and Dustin consistently that we will be good parents and that we don't exasperate our children as it is written in Ephesians 6:4

 Fathers,do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Similarly, we have also been praying to lead both of them to Jesus Christ.

This proverb reinforces something that is more important...that we actually lead good lives and set an example.

My Prayer: Lord, YOUR life is perfect and You are the example as You are holy, blameless and without sin.  Unfortunately I am not by a long shot as I fail to love You with all of my heart, body and soul as You command us to.  Thank You that You love me anyway but PLEASE forgive me.  Help my love deepen for You and help me be a good example for Zach and Dustin.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. v21

I often think I can do things on my own or that my way is better.  I need to constantly remind myself that I need to go to the Lord for direction and to lead me, and also to correct my course should I choose an incorrect path.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have used all circumstances in my life for Your glory and it is amazing how You orchestrate all of this - truly incredible.  You do this because You see goodness and purpose in all of us, including me.  Again...amazing because I don't feel worthy of such love because of my sin.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me for my gossip and also correct my path if I have chosen a path that is not pleasing to You.

Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.

Proverbs 19

Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;    do not be a willing party to their death.  v18

As  Zach and I start up BSF again this Monday, I was thinking I would miss BSF due to school work.  But the above verse calls me back.  Similarly, the below verse does the same.

Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who blesses beyond reason and You have certainly done this for me with Lisa, Zach, and Dustin.  I continue to lust after other women and also remain prideful.  I thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me for this sin and help me more like You and help me focus on training Zach and Dustin in the ways of the Lord.

Proverbs 18

To answer before listening—    that is folly and shame. v13

I am seeking to learn as much as I can today in my classes at UVA and concerned about a couple of assignments coming up.  This verse is helpful for me as I need to listen.  A similar instruction is provided by James:

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, James 1:19

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You listen to me intently no matter when I come to You - You are always there.  Unfortunately, I often speak before listening and I even did that yesterday.  Thank You for loving me anyway.  Please forgive me for not listening and also help me listen and learn.  Help me be more like you.  Help me do well on my class assignments today., 

 

One who is slack in his work s brother to one who destroys.

Proverbs 18

One who is slack in his work
    is brother to one who destroys.

God provides us a job on earth and we are to do it joyfully.  This is also an admonition elsewhere:

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. ⁶ Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, ⁸ because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. (Ephesians 6:5-8)

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that You bless me with a job and You have blessed me with so much more...well beyond what I deserve.   I confess to You that I am a selfish person and I am not a patient person also.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me be more like You.